Teaching language through active learning

Active Learning Produces Better Results
TEFL Model – the teacher speaks 20% of the time, the learners speak 80% of the time
Students are more engaged, motivated, and invested in their learning.
Students collaboratively create more meaning and are more creative.
Higher-level thinking skills (analyzing, synthesising, and applying) are used.

The Earlier, the Better!
Humans begin to recognize speech patterns even before birth.
The ability to hear different phonetic pronunciation is sharpest before age 3.
50% of our learning pathways are created by age 4, another 30% by age 8.
Bilingualism improves cognitive abilities, especially problem-solving.

Songs
Build fluency, pronunciation and correct intonation
For older learners:
- clozes (fill in missing words)
- rearrange the order
- incorrect lyrics
For young learners:
-nursery rhymes
-action songs
-concept songs
On YouTube:
-eflashapps
-Learning Station
-Learning English for Kids
-English SingSing
-ChuChu TV

Authentic Texts and Books
For young learners:
-Dr. Seuss
-Mo Willems
-a plethora of fiction and nonfiction picture books
For older learners:
-Great Illustrated Classics
-BBC News in Levels

Little Reader
http://www.brillkids.com/-English
-Spanish
-French
-Russian
-Thai
-Chinese
They also offer math and music.
LeapReader
ABC Mouse
Create “Picture Flash” presentations
http://www.english-4kids.com/flashcards.html

Emergent Reader Printable Books
https://www.kindergartenkindergarten.com/emergent-readers/
https://www.themeasuredmom.com/print-2/
https://thisreadingmama.com/
https://www.dltk-teach.com/minibooks/index.htm
http://printables.atozteacherstuff.com/

Story Retelling and Role Plays

Unstructured Play

Engage the Senses:
Taste, Smell and Sound
https://handsonaswegrow.com/non-touch-sensory-activities/
https://lemonlimeadventures.com/15-taste-safe-toddler-sensory-play-ideas/
https://www.scholastic.com/parents/kids-activities-and-printables/activities-for-kids/activities-explore-taste-0-2-year-olds.html
https://handsonaswegrow.com/edible-sensory-play-ideas/
https://teaching2and3yearolds.com/activities-using-the-five-senses/

Engage the Senses:
Tactile Experiences

Fine Motor Skills

Arts and Crafts

Active Games and Scavenger Hunts

File Folder and Other Teacher-Created Games

I Have ___, Who Has ___?

Commercial Games

Field Trips and Outings
Natural vocabulary from real objects and real situations
-parks and playgrounds
-stores
-museums
-petting zoos, farms, zoos
-Use every opportunity!!!

Picture Descriptions, Picture Differences, and Information Gap Exercises